In search of an offense that disappeared for the past week, the softball team traveled to the University of Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers in a doubleheader at Trees field Wednesday afternoon. This time, Buffalo got runs on the scoreboard but the team found itself on the losing side of both games, falling 3-2 and 7-2.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Bulls suffered a heartbreaking defeat, losing 3-2. Down two runs with two outs in the top of the last inning, junior shortstop Marry Russel drove a double into the outfield, scoring sophomore leftfielder Kerry Cofazo. Buffalo then had a chance to take the lead as the team loaded the bases. However, junior pitcher Sophie Barstad grounded out to third to end the game.
Though the Bulls were not able to come away with a victory, head coach Marie Curran was happy with her team's performance against Pittsburgh (19-12).
"I know some of the girls took it harder because it was so close," Curran said. "But the staff looks at it that we are taking steps in the right direction. We're scoring runs, we out-hit our opponent in both games."
After being shutout in four games at the East Carolina State Farm Pirate Classic, the Bulls (8-23) broke a 30-inning scoreless streak when sophomore catcher Lacy Schneider singled in freshman centerfielder Erin Zilka in the top of the second inning, giving the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
Curran believes that the team has not played up to its capabilities this season, and in a way that has helped keep the team's confidence high.
"We're really lucky that the girls realize that we're not playing as well as we can," Curran said. "They're keeping themselves motivated to show up every day. We're reminding them of the good things we are doing and how easy it is to fix the mistakes we are making."
Barstad took the loss for the Bulls, tossing a complete game with two earned runs and six strikeouts.
The second game of the doubleheader was marred early by sloppy play from the Bulls as the Panthers scored seven runs in the first two innings, three of which were unearned.
"Pretty much today came down to making mental errors," Curran said. "We had some people not run bases well which cost a few runs in the first game."
Buffalo starter Margo Schramm settled down after the rocky start, shutting out the Panthers the rest of the way. Yet the Bulls only managed two runs, losing, 7-2. Schramm pitched a complete game allowing four earned runs and striking out two batters.
Curran felt that this was Schramm's best performance of the season.
"Today, Margo Schramm threw the best game she's thrown all year," Curran said. "Even though there were a lot of runs scored, she did a great, great job."
The Bulls now prepare to begin their Mid-American Conference schedule in their home opener on Friday against Bowling Green. As the weather gets warmer and the team can begin to practice outside, Curran thinks that the team will begin to hit its stride.
"It's going to be nice to be able to practice outside," Curran said. "Yesterday was the first day we were able to take a couple of the girls on our field. We got some of the infielders out there to get practice on the dirt. We'll also hold team practice there tomorrow. It's definitely nice to have weather in the 50s at the end of March."
As the losses continue to pile up for the Bulls, the team has to play well in all facets of the game in order to get back on track, according to Curran.
"It's not that we lack the talent to win games," Curran said. "If we play defense and we hit and our pitchers give up runs, we're still going to win. If we hit and our pitchers do a great job and we don't play great defense, we're still going to win. We just haven't put two solid performances together of the three pieces you need to win a game."
The softball team opens its home series on Friday at 1 p.m. against Bowling Green at Nan Harvey Field.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
